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Friday, 9 September 2011

Jovial Poinsettia - Christmas Card Week 36

Evening All

I've been playing with inks and my Cuttlebug this afternoon - getting my fingers dirty and finding out what I can do with a Spellbinder layered poinsettia die set. The design paper is pretty special - Basic Grey's Jovial Shopkeeper. It's one of those designs that could be used for any occasion - I just thought it looked very festive and Christmassy. All I did was cover the front of a cream base card with the paper and then sponged the edges with Adirondack Noel ink pad - using the green end. This is one of those ink pads that I've bought and then wondered why. Opening it was a disappointment ... I didn't really like the colours and I suspect this was because they've bled into each other ... they're quite muddy in places. However, today that muddy green was just perfect :)

I cut the poinsettia petals out in some leftover white Neenah Solar and the leaves from a snippet of green - origin long forgotten. The petals are edged with TH Fired Brick and the leaves with the green end of the Noel pad. I've been really unsure about using dies with my Cuttlebug - it's the damage it does to the plate that really upsets me ... I know, that's normal but I take some convincing. However, seeing the beautiful results many crafters achieve with them persuaded me to get over it!!

I managed to repeat a mistake made before when distressing the edges and got ink smudging on the back. So some rescue measures were needed ... and that's where the piece of card left from cutting the poinsettia shapes came in useful - saved the day in fact :) It made a great stencil. I used one of my ink dusters to stipple the muddy green ink ... my, but that ink pad earned it's place in my crafting arsenal today :) ... through the template in very much a random fashion then inked the edges ... now my smudges look deliberate - phew!!

Stippled a couple on the inside and left it blank for now ... will probably add a sentiment when I've decided who will get the card.

Because it is such a busy pattern, embellishments were kept to a minimum - just some green satin ribbon, red/white baker's twine and a beautiful red brad from Papermania's A Silent Night collection - leftover from last year too!! So more snippets and leftovers used up, but this time married up to a piece from a new and treasured 12"x12" sheet of DP ... so not sure whether this qualifies in Jules' rules as a snippet make.

Now, I'm off to do some digital, or should that be hybrid, scrapbooking ... that is, starting on the computer using graphics software then printing out onto paper and finishing the page of by hand ... this could be a huge disaster but I'm determined to give it a go :)

Oh great going Elizabeth, bet you've had a lovely afternoon - great result. Have you tried using that inkpad for a brayer - the muddier parts tend not to be such an issue then....I had a similar disappointment, I must say..and now only use mine when brayering.

Such a gorgeous card - love everything about it, including the great idea of inking with the templates left from cutting the poinsettias - wish I'd thought of that when I spoiled the back of a card earlier because it picked up some ink on the back! The paper you've used is so festive and love the green inking - thanks for joining in my CHNC challenge 36 - hope to see you next week for the challenge starting tomorrow morning. x

Elizabeth I literally gasped with pleasure when I saw this gorgeous card it is so beautiful, I have to say this is one of my favourites of yours.The Poinsettia is just stunning I love it and the background is just a perfect accompaniment for it. How lucky you are to be able to go to a craft retreat `I do envy you but it's even lovelier to have Alan come all that way to pick you up ! What a happy couple you must be !

Love this card! The poinsettia is stunning and I love what you did with the templates left from cutting them. At first it was quite upsetting to see my Cuttlebug plate damaged but the rewards are so well worth it I don't mind anymore. I did buy some extras so I don't have to look at the damaged plate when I'm only embossing.Blessings Bernie

I know what you mean about using dies in your Cuttlebug . . . I keep a set of B plates PURELY for embossing, and another set for die cutting (using only 1 of die cutting pair for actually cutting into).

Hi, many thanks for taking the time to visit today. Your comments are important to me and always appreciated so please don't stop. However, a note to anonymous, of necessity I have had to block you - this is due to a spam overload.

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About Me

AKA The Silver Scrapper, i.e. a silver haired surfing senior citizen who is never happier than when crafting and scrapping in the craft space, and then scribbling about it all. Thank you for taking the time to visit. Need to know something, contact me ... I’d be delighted to hear from you ... Elizabeth.